Water closet installation

ABSTRACT

A COMBINED WATER-FLUSH AND AIR-BLAST SYSTEM FOR A WATER CLOSET INSTALLATION. THE FLUSH PIPE CONNECTING THE FLUSH RESERVOIR TO THE COMMODE OF THE WATER CLOSET IS USED AS AN AIR-SUCTION PIPE. THE AIR-SUCTION MEANS IS SUPPLIED BY THE   WATER USED FOR FILLING-IN THE FLUSH RESERVOIR. THE SYSTEM IS ACTUATED BY CONTROL MEANS RESPONSIVE TO THE PRESENCE AND ABSENCE OF A USER.

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WATER CLOSET INSTALLATION Filed March I5, 1970 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INA/rm: 65pm: ,4 HENRY www -g A17-Ney United States Patent O 3,605,126 WATER CLOSET INSTALLATION Georges A. Henry, 19 Rue Folletiere, Draguignan, France Filed Mar. 3, 1970, Ser. No. 16,127 Claims priority, applicztion France, Mar. 5, 1969,

,064 Inf. Cl. Eosd 9/04, 9/05, 11/02 U.S. Cl. 4--72 10 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The described invention concerns several improvements to water closets and, particularly, to systems of toilet flush.

It is well-known that a Water closet installation comprises the following essential elements: a commode with seat and mobile lid associated with a tank or reservoir of water by means of a pipe of a, relatively critical diameter, called a flush-pipe, and a system of ventilation evacuating the foul air from the room.

The functioning of such systems is well known. A water pipe supplies the reservoir with water; its filling is regulated by means of a float ensuring the filling so long as the valve is closed; the aforesaid valve is associated with a lever and a chain, which is pulled down by the user. Water is flushed in the commode, to evacuate the stool.

Generally, the aforesaid reservoir is filled with 'water or is being filled when in use or in a contrary case the tank may be empty in order not to let the water in the reservoir freeze in winter. In this case, the tank is iilled only when pulling the chain, the ush functioning automatically under the action of the float.

Both of these most widely used devices are subject to the negligence of users, and, if a user has neglected to pull the chain, it can be very disagreeable for the next user.

To overcome the aforesaid problems, the present invention proposes a system which functions automatically by employing a proximity detector in the [form of a photoelectric cell and light beam which comprises an electromechanical mechanism to actuate the chain for flushing. The present invention further includes means to overcome the adherence of the stool to the interior of the commode. To accomplish the more effective ushing of the commode and to eliminate the disagreeable odor, use is made of the conventional flush pipe in evacuating foul air by including means delivering an air blast in a direction opposite to the movement of the water, whereby the odors are removed in a rst stage and the flushing occurs in a stage immediately thereafter.

The principal object of the invention consists of modifying the function of the usual flush-pipe in order to evacuate the foul air -when produced, in the interior of the commode, by means of an air-blast in the direction opposed to the water-flush direction, the water-flush being applied after the air blast. The common flush-pipe accomplishes a rapid abduction of foul smells in the first phase and a water-flush thereafter.

Another object of the invention is to provide the automatic operation of water closet installation.

The invention makes use of a proximity-detection device such as a photoelectric cell or an electronic proximity-detector of the type in which the detecting ele- Patented Sept. 20, 1971 ment consists in a reactance element of an oscillating high-frequency circuit whose reactance changes due to nearness of the users body. Such electronic proximitydetectors make use of the hinges of the toilet seat as a means which cooperates with the electrical mechanism in initiating the flushing and air blast operations.

Another object of the present invention is to provide automatic means cooperating with the toilet seat when the toilet seat is in one of two positions, either raised or lowered, so that the movement into these positions will close and open the valve which flushes the toilet.

According to one of the caracteristics of the present invention, it is proposed to employ the supply of water under pressure serving to fill the reservoir as the power source .for the air-blast system. To be effective the airblast cannot be provided solely by the aspiration of the ascending contaminated air and it is necessary to provide forced aspiration by means of an exhaust to the exterior of the building by means of a jet ejector or an hydraulic motor driving a ventilator rotor, the said motor being for instance a geared or a blade-motor or a small hydraulic turbine, the choice being dependent on the water pressure.

The jet ejector is a simple and well-known structure which is low in cost and reliable, and the operating principle is 'well-known. The carrying fluid in the jet ejector enters into a converging throat which lies along the axis of a Venturi bicone or nozzle whereby a diminished pressure is created between the converging cone and the nozzle, cause aspiration. The output of these jet devices steadily increase with increasing pressure (especially Koerting and Y. E. Thompson ejectors). Under low Water output and low water pressure, it is desirable that the air-ejector be combined with a small hydraulic turbine for energizing a ventilator rotor, and the ejector and turbine are constructed of low cost plastic. The combination of plastic air-ejector and turbine serves as a simple and unique control means which combines the action of the jet in the interior of the Venturi bicone and the Ventilating means of the second device.

Other characteristic features and advantages of the present invention will appear when reading the following description of preferred embodiments, the said description being made in accordance with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. l represents a typical global installation, in Which the air-blast system is a jet ejector;

FIG. 2 represents another installation in which the airblast system comprises a jet ejector and an air-turbine;

FIG. 3 represents schematically two other different solutions for the Hush and the air-blast, appropriated to certain cases; and

FIG. 4 represents schematically a pan and a reservoir for conventional flush, with the flush-pipe comporting a by-pass opening on a ventilator.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the water closet equipment comprises a reservoir 1 with tank cover 1a, inlet waterpipe 3 serving to lill the reservoir, a ush-pipe 5 and a commode 7 with its seat 20 and its lid 21.

The pipe 5 opens at one end thereof into the commode 7 and the lowermost extremity of the flush-pipe 5 is fitted with a diffuser 6. The other end of the flush-pipe S extends into reservoir 1 at a level which is slightly higher than the level designated by line N of FIGS. 1-3 of the drawing which represents the level of the fwater in the reservoir When full.

The upper part of pipe 5 is formed as a Venturi casing portion 9 in the interior of the reservoir 1. The base of this Venturi casing portion 9 is pierced with Several apertures 11, distributed al1 around of its wall. The part 9 of the pipe 5 is coaxially enclosed with a freely sliding piece of pipe 13. This sliding pipe 13, whose lower exice tremity present a peripherally beveled edge 8, reposes normally -by gravity on an elastomer seating ring 15 which is embedded in the aperture below the Venturi casing portion in the bottom of the reservoir 1. Disposed below the lower edge of sliding pipe 13 which surrounds the Venturi casing 9 and is coaxial with the pipe 5 are the openings 11, these openings forming a communicating passageway for water in the reservoir between pipe and casing 9. The upper extremity of the pipe 13 ends by a flange 33 under which is inserted, coaxially with the pipe 13, a fioat 14, having the form of a big cork or expanded plastic ring.

The cover 1a closing the reservoir 1 with the aid of a tightness joint 2, comprises a tubular opening 1b, on which is forced a tubular passage 55 `whose upper extremity 55h opens at the exterior of the local. The cover 1a also comprises a deector 17 comprising a central conical projection 17a in the axis of the pipe 5 and a circular projection 17b.

In the interior of the part 9 of the pipe 5 is fixed a Venturi bicone 18- above a nozzle 19 terminating the water-pipe 3. In this pipe is inserted a solenoid valve 39 with electromagnet 39a and a press-button 39!) for handoperation, in the case of failure of electric current.

The installation described operates in the following manner:

Upon pushing the press-button 39b, a pressure stream of water is established Which bursts from the nozzle 19 to pass upwardly through the Venturi bicone and impinge above onto deector 17, which throws the water stream back into the reservoir around the flush-pipe aperture. The space separating nozzle 19 from Venturi bicone 18 is the region of diminished pressure which induces the aspiration of the air carried along with the water jet thereby causing a compression at the reservoir interior and rejecting air in the evacuation passage. This creates consequently a continuous upwardly moving air-blast from the commode which is established from the beginning of the flushing operation, effectively initiated at the same time as one uses the seat.

When the filling level of the reservoir is attained, the float raises sliding pipe 13, the lower part of which is so made that the apertures 11 placed on the circumference of the liush pipe are uncovered by the upward sliding movement of the pipe `when the flush establishes itself whereby the apertures cooperate in the exhaust of the odors as pointed out below is well-known.

This air-blast occurs during the time the reservoir is -filling and the relatively brief water-Hush constitute a cycle of operation. Prolonged use of the commode may require several cycles, it may suflice to push on the press-button of the solenoid valve.

When examining FIG. 1 one can distinguish a small water pipe 10, establishing a communication between the bottom of the reservoir 1 and the flush pipe 5 by means of a valve 12, destined to regulate the output. A small tube 16, represented in dotted line, can establish a direct communication between the pipe and the diffuser 6, which is destined, beside its principal function, to direct the surplus of water coming from the reservoir to the impact-point of the stool, in order to clean the adherence of faeces to the porcelain of the commode. This water surplus from the reservoir permits a greater water output coming from the nozzle which gives to this later a greater efciency, when considering the time necessary to the filling of the reservoir determining the duration of the above-mentioned cycle. The different systems automatic the functioning of the installation is illustrated in FIG. l.

Commode 7 is provided with a seat 20 and its mobile lid 21, respectively connected through hinges 25 and 25a to the fixed part 22 of the commode 7. Part 22 and commode 7 are secured together by screws 47. A rod 26 of insulating material fixed by one of its extremities to the mobile lid 21 comports at one end a sector 27 of conducting metal forming the mobile blade of an electrical contactor having two fixed blades 28 and 29. This electrical contactor is serially connected with an electromagnet 39a which is controlled by means of armature 39C and solenoid valve 39.

The mobile lid 21 can occupy different positions beside its functional position acting as a lid; the dotted line 24 corresponds to a vertical position, or approaching, in `which case the contactor closes the electric circuit and the dotted line 23 corresponds to the extreme lid position, in which the drawback spring 30 is compressed and the aforesaid circuit open.

The functioning of such a system can be explained in the following manner:

At the arrival in the water closet, the user finds the mobile lid lowered on the commode, and as consequence, the device at stop. The raising up of the lid till the vertical position establishes the contact closing the electric circuit of the solenoid valve and puts in operation all the air-blast and water-flush device. After usage the lid is lowered, as it ought to be and consequently the device will come to a stop automatically,

Referring again to FIG. l, one can see at the right of the lid a source of light 45 disposed judiciously above the commode, and facing it, a photoelectric cell 43, not visible in FIG. l, but clearly represented in FIG. 3.

A distributor 41 completes this photo-electric device. The light source 45 is connected to terminals 45a, the photoelectric cell 43 to terminals 43a and a low-voltage current source to terminals 44.

The functioning of such a device is easily understood.

When the commode is not in use, the photoelectric cell is illuminated and the resulting electric current controls by means of the associated distributor the opening of the electric circuit of electromagnet 39a. As the photoelectric barrier has been judiciously disposed over the commode, the result is, in the users presence the light beam is cut-off and therefore incapable of illuminating the cell and, in these circumstances the circuit of the solenoid valve controlling the air-blast device is closed.

The already described elements 25, 25a and 47 of the FIG. 1 are generally made of metal and in this case can be electrically connected together in order to constitute the proximity-electrode of an appropriated electronic detector. A screw 47 considered as the terminal of the proximity-electrode thus constituted is connected to the central conductor by means of a coaxial cable, not shown in FIG. 1, the metallic envelop of which is grounded. The other extremity of this cable is connected to terminals 45a of distributor 41, schematically represented and controlling solenoid valve 39. The distributor includes an oscillator comprising an inductor and a capacitor one armature of which is connected to the proximity-electrode. As is well-known the presence of a target, here the user, untunes the oscillator which produces a control signal. In the case of a modern fabrication designed specially in view of the described device, it will be advisable to replace the metallic hinges 25 and 25a by plastic bearings and a metal rod 46 serves as a proximity electrode, and to reserve a possi-bility for connecting the rod to the aforementioned coaxial cable.

The functioning is as follows:

By his presence on the seat of the commode, the user influences and controls the iiushing operation by a capacitative effect, which is a function of the proximity of the electrode, energizing a variation in his tuning of the oscillator. The oscillator detuning energizes the closing of the electric circuit controlling the solenoid valve. In the users absence things return to their initial state. It must be emphasized that the proximity detector of the treated example does not need to have a .great sensitivity and, therefore, is not very costly and, more, can be miniaturized to be lodged in the fixed part 22, the coaXial cable being omitted.

Referring now to FIG. 2, it represents in'section a flush reservoir with a ush system identical to that of FIG. 1. It will not be described anew.

Water-pipe 3 is terminated by nozzle 19 located in front of a Venturi bicone 30. This bicone is cast together with the lower part of a small hydraulic turbine 31 embodying blades or vanes 32. A stationary deector 38 is pierced in the center to allow a free passage for the transmission shaft 40a joining the turbine 31 to the ventilator rotor 40 bearing blades 42 and a hub, having its hollow part terminated by a cone which forms a bearing for the conical end of xed shaft 48 and acts as a pivot. The pipe 1b comprises at its upper part a deodorizing filter 54.

The functioning of such an air-blast system is now described:

The water jet coming from the nozzle passes through the Venturi bicone which is put into rotation together with the turbine by action of the jets pressure against the vanes. As already explained, a region of diminished pressure exists between the nozzle and the bicone and causes aspiration followed by a forced exhaust of the air from the commode into the reservoir, which undergoes compression followed by a forced evacuation of the air through the pipe in the lid leading to the deodorizing filter. The aforesaid evacuation is enhanced by the turbine-driven ventilator which adds its effect.

One must understand that the jet, having put the turbine into rotation comes to impinge onto the turbine deector 38, the said deector comprising, as shown in FIG. 1, a circular projection to force the water back into the reservoir and, comprising radially disposed blades 38a, said reaction blades improving the turbines eiciency and avoiding the centrifugation of the resulting jet.

At the stop the turbo-ventilator of the presene embodiment rests by gravity on the nozzle and, on the upper part of the deector, according to dimensions and play admitted at the construction. In this stop position the elements of the aforesaid pivot are not in contact.

When the turbo-ventilator is started under the jets pressure and due to the extreme lightness (not more than several tenths of grams) of the turbo-ventilator, the turbo-ventilator moves along the jets axis and maintains itself there, because of the forces at the entry of the Venturi bicone and the resultant of the forces exerted onto its inner wall.

FIG. 3 represents schematically the Whole of the device of the present invention, employing for the air-blast an hydraulic motor of a conventional type, and for the flush, a valve controlled by a jack. One can sce, besides the elements 43 and 45 connected by a dotted line representing the light -beam of the photoelectric barrier, already described on the FIG. 1, the following new elements:

In the interior of the reservoir 1, a motor 49, for instance a geared motor, set in movement by means of the water in pipe 3, which drives the shaft 50 of a ventilators rotor 51; the bearing 52 of the shaft is xed, as well as the motor, to the Wall of reservoir 1. The rotor of the ventilator is disposed in the interior of the pipe 1b The water coming from the motor `49 is directed by means of the pipe 53 to supply the jet-injector 19- disposed inside the part 9 of the ilush pipe 5.

On the other hand, the tubular valve 13 of the flush pipe identical to the valve of the FIG. 1, is controlled by a small hydraulic jack 35, supplied by the waterpipe 37 connected to water pipe 3 controlled by solenoid valve 39 and opening into the cylinder of the aforesaid jack. The jack is secured to the reservoir and comprises at its lower part 35a a return spring 36, connected to its piston 35b. This piston is continued by a push rod 34 connected to the flange 33 of the tubular valve 13 which closes by gravity the apertures 11 of the water-Hush.

The functioning of this new installation is easily explained. At the opening of the electro-valve, under the pressure of the water the hydraulic motor begins to ro- 6 tate, driving in rotation the ventilators rotor. The water pressure at the outlet of the motor is not negligible and operates the air-ejector. The ejectors action reinforces the air-blast induced by the ventilator.

In what concerns the water-Hush, the solenoid valve being closed, the jack is deprived of water pressure and the piston is urged by the spring and push rod maintains the tubular valve of the flush in the open position, wherefrom it results that when the water-closet is unoccupied, the reservoir is forcibly empty, which presents for certain applications of the present invention a great interest, especially for cold countries.

When the solenoid valve opens, the jack piston, acting under the pressure of the water compresses the returnspring and releases push rod on the flange the sliding pipe 13 which is no longer under the influence of the float represented on FIGS. 1 and 2, so that the pipe slides down by the effect of its own weight along the flush-pipe and closes the apertures. The reservoir lls up and, naturally, overflows the upper opening of the flush-pipe so long as the device of the present invention continues to function.

FIG. 4 illustrates the installation of the elements of the invention in a conventional commode 7 with flush pipe 5 and the reference number 58 represents a ilush reservoir of a classical type, controlled by means of a chain. A ventilation pipe 56 is branched at a point of the pipe 5 and ends in a chamber containing a revolving electric ventilator 57 and the means for driving the airblast system are located in the flush-pipe in a part of the same where the flush blast does not ilow.

What I claim is:

1. A combined Water-fiush and air-blast system for a water closet installation for the purpose of automatically flushing the water closet immediately after use, said combined installation comprising a ush reservoir, a commode, a flush pipe in communication between said commode and said reservoir, a flush valve located at the bottom of the reservoir and inserted between the reservoir and the flush pipe, a ventilation pipe connected to the flush pipe and extending upwardly from the flush valve -up to a level which is above the highest level of the water in the reservoir, a water supply pipe for the reservoir, air suction means at the outlet of said ventilation pipe and control means for operating said air suction means by means of forced movement of the water in said supply pipe, said control means being responsive to the presence and absence of a user so that the supply pipe water ushes the commode and the ventilation pipe aspirates air therethrough.

2. A combined water-flush and air-blast system for a water closet installation for the purpose of automaticaljly flushing the Water closet immediately after use, said combined installation comprising a flush reservoir, a commode, a ush pipe in communication between said commode and said reservoir, a liush valve located at the bottom of the reservoir and .inserted between the reservoir and the flush pipe, a ventilation pipe connected to the flush pipe and extending upwardly from the ush valve up to a level which is above the highest level of the water in the reservoir, a Water supply pipe for the reservoir, a supply valve inserted in said Water supply pipe, air suction means at the outlet of said ventilation pipe, and control means for operating said air suction means by means of forced movement of the water in lsaid supply pipe, said control means including a proximity detector for detecting the presence of a user and means controlled by said proximity detector for opening said supply valve.

3. A combined Water-hush and air blast system for a water closet installation as set forth in claim 1, in which the air suction means and the means for operating said air suction means by the water in the supply pipe comprise a Venturi bicone located inside the flush pipe near the upper end thereof, a nozzle at the extremity of the water supply pipe located at the input of the Venturi bicone and coaxial therewith, said Venturi bicone and nozzle forming together an air-ejector, and deector means for collecting the water stream from the nozzle and deecting it into the reservoir.

4. A combined water-ush and air blast system for a Water closet installation as set forth in claim 1, in which the air suction means and the means for operating said air suction means by the water in the supply pipe comprise a nozzle at the extremity of the water supply pipe, a Venturi bicone located inside the flush pipe near the upper end thereof and coaxial with and opposite to said nozzle, said Venturi bicone and nozzle forming together an air-ejector, a water turbine rotor located at the output of said Venturi bicone and secured thereto, a ventilator driven by said water turbine and deector means for collecting the water stream from the water turbine and deflecting it into the reservoir.

5. A combined water-flush and air-blast system for a water closet installation as set forth in claim 1, in which the air suction means and the means for operating said air suction means by the water in the supply pipe comprise a nozzle at the extremity of the water supply pipe, a Venturi bicone located inside the flush pipe near the upper end thereof and coaxial with and opposite to said nozzle, said Venturi bicone and nozzle forming together an air-ejector, a water turbine rotor located at the output of said Venturi bicone and secured thereto, a hub for the assembly including the Venturi bicone and the water turbine, said hub comprising an upward directed bearing, a pivot connected to the reservoir for said bearing, whereby said bearing is forced against said pivot when said nozzle is operated, and deflector means for collecting the water stream from the water turbine and deecting it into the reservoir.

6. A combined water-Hush and air-blast system for a water closet installation as set forth in claim 1, in which the air suction means and the means for operating said air suction means by the water in the supply pipe comprise an hydraulic motor supplied by the water supply pipe and a ventilator driven by said motor.

7. A combined water-flush and air-blast system for a water closet installation as set forth in claim 1, in which the air suction means and the means for operating said air suction means by the water in the supply pipe comprise an hydraulic motor supplied by the water supply pipe, a ventilator driven by said motor, a Venturi bicone located inside the flush pipe near the upper end thereof, an output pipe of the hydraulic motor, a nozzle at the extremity of said output pipe located at the input of the Venturi bicone and coaxial therewith, said Venturi bicone and nozzle forming together an air-ejector, and deflector means for collecting the water stream from the nozzle and deecting it into the reservoir.

8. A combined water-Hush and air-blast system for a water closet installation comprising for the purpose of automatically flushing the water closet immediately after use, said combined installation a flush reservoir, a cornmode, a flush pipe putting in communication said commode and said reservoir, a flush valve located at the bottom of the reservoir and inserted between the reservoir and the flush pipe, means for operating said ush valve, a ventilation pipe connected to the ush pipe and prolonging the same upward from the ush valve level up to a level above the highest level of the water in the reservoir, a water supply pipe for the reservoir, a supply valve inserted in said supply water pipe, air suction means at the outlet of said ventilation pipe, and control means for operating said ush valve operating means and said air suction means by forced movement of the water in said supply pipe, said control means including a proximity detector for detecting the presence of a user and means controlled by said proximity detector for opening said supply valve.

9. A combined water-flush and air-blast system for a water closet installation as set forth in claim 8 in which the means for operating the flush valve is a water jack with a return spring and a piston connected to said flush valve, said water jack being supplied by said water supply pipe and maintaining the ush valve closed when watersupplied and opened when not water-supplied.

10. A combined water-Hush and air-blast system for a water-closet installation as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a lid for said commode, metallic hinged members connecting said pan and lid, a variable reactance electrode proximity detector for detecting the presence of a user, said electrode being said metallic hinged members, and means controlled `by said proximity detector for opening said supply valve.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,055,271 9/1936 Vuagnat 4-28 2,406,507 8/1946 Owens 4-215 2,714,723 8/1955 Griffon 4-26 2,867,820 l/1959 Gray 4-41 3,060,450 10/1962 Rupert 4-30 3,172,128 3/1965 Ducay 4-41 3,188,658 6/1965 Dizon 4-215 3,314,081 4/1967 Atkins et al 4-100 3,397,408 8/1968 Skousgaard 4-26 3,434,164 3/1969 Forbes 4-100 HENRY K. ARTIS, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

